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Layperson's Guide to Flood Management

Flood management seeks to help counter floods and the risks that arise from floods to prevent occurrence of these risks in the future and minimize the losses and risks incurred. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 to protect property owners against financial losses arising from natural disasters such as flooding. Communities have to accept and implement the requirements set that aim to reduce the risk of flooding. Confirm with your insurance agent whether you are covered against losses from flooding. Most standard homeowner's insurance does not cover losses from flooding.

  1. Causes of Floods

    • Floods have natural and man-made causes. Natural causes include melting ice and heavy rains. The most common man-made causes of floods are levee or dam failures, deforestation and over cultivation.

    Nature of Flood Risk

    • Flood risk should be managed in accordance with the options available which depend on the you are likely to face. Develop a flood management plan such as flood forecasting or flood resilience to prevent floods. Flood forecasting uses data relating to the amount of rain and the resulting rise in water levels to predict flooding probabilities. Flood forecasting is done at weather stations and the results are usually televised. Flood resilience sets up of water barriers such as dikes to prevent floods from destroying property.

    Loss Assessment

    • Loss of assets and, at times, lives occurs after serious flooding. Choosing an insurance policy that covers flood loss is essential to mitigate anticipated losses. An asset survey is done by the insurance company to establish flood losses. This survey guides the compensation you receive in accordance with the terms of your policy.

    Precautionary Measures

    • Areas prone to frequent flooding should be avoided and if building a house there, try to elevate it above the ground as much as possible. As a long-term precautionary measure, consider planting more trees. Residents of High-Risk Areas (One percent higher risk of flooding) with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are mandated to have flood insurance. (See reference 5)

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